This article explains exactly how to have lucid dreams. It all begins when a person realizes they are dreaming and becomes conscious - inside the dream. Normally, dreams are a way to express subconscious thoughts, so this awareness makes the lucid dreaming experience quite different.
Once the dreamer becomes lucid, they have the ability to direct the events and characters in any way they wish, similar to a daydream. But because the physical body is paralyzed and the mind is entirely submerged in the dream state, the conscious experience feels far more real than in normal dreams.
The Sleeping Brain
In the past, scientists believed that the mind was completely inactive during sleep. Despite the knowledge of dreams, scientists presumed that while the body was shut down, the brain was functioning at a minimal level, with no purpose. This is far from the truth!
In fact, the sleeping brain can be highly active. Parts of the brain that deal with memories begin filing away the day’s events, and these can play out in dreams. Dreams are also a way for the subconscious mind to come to terms with change and new understanding that emerges from everyday life. The brain is a powerful tool, and it never stops working, even while the body is fast asleep.
How To Have Lucid Dreams
While there are dozens of lucid dream induction techniques, they all fall into one of two categories:
1. Wake Induced Lucid Dreams (WILDs) occur when a person walks their consciousness directly from a normal waking state into a dream state. This is known as "falling asleep consciously" or the Mind Awake / Body Asleep technique. Some people find they have been doing this naturally since childhood, without realizing that it is an unusual skill to develop.
2. Dream Induced Lucid Dreams (DILDs) begin as normal dreams, but the person soon realizes that they are dreaming, usually by applying logic to the surreal situation around them. The dream immediately becomes more vivid, and they have the ability to consciously evaluate what to do next in the dream environment.
The Best Lucid Dreaming Techniques
It's easy to learn how to lucid dream with consistent practice. Once popular method is to employ reality checks frequently throughout the waking day. In time, reality checks will occur randomly in dreams, giving the dream the opportunity to recognize the dream state. This recognition usually creates instant lucidity.
The lucid dreaming expert, Dr Stephen LaBerge, recommends trying to push two fingers through a solid object, such as the other hand or a table top. At the same time, pose the question: “Am I dreaming? Is this real?” LaBerge recommends performing this reality check half a dozen times during the waking day. When it happens in a dream, the fingers will naturally pass right through the solid object!
Having lucid dreaming on the brain during the daytime also helps. Read a book or talk about lucid dreaming to place the concept firmly in the subconscious mind. A reality check may then spontaneously occur against whatever unreality is happening in the dream.
Dream Recall
The ability to remember dreams is an important lucid dreaming technique. Better dream recall increases a person’s self awareness in dreams, and will awaken memories of the dreamland that are so easily forgotten. LaBerge recommends keeping a dream journal and writing down a brief outline of any dreams immediately upon waking. This will help anyone learn how to have lucid dreams much faster.
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